Wednesday, June 27, 2007

David Matchim, of Rocklin, CA, and a graduate of the Conservatory in Trumpet Performance this past spring, has been named this years' Mellon Fellow. David will use this experience to pursue a career in Orchestral or Music librarianship, and plans to earn a double graduate degree in Trumpet Performance/Library Science from either UCLA or Northwestern University.

David previously worked in the Conservatory Library as a circulation attendant, the Conservatory Ensemble Library as a student manager of the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra and College Community Winds, and was a member and manager of the Tappan Brass Quintet. He also teaches nearly a dozen young trumpet players in the Oberlin area.

We are excited for David and look forward to having him work with us in his new and important capacity! Congratulations David!

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Most Oberlin College Library and OhioLINK databases and electronic journals can be accessed off campus if you are recognized as a valid Oberlin College user. If you'd like to use library materials from off-campus, take a look at:

Did you know that the Conservatory Library has bound volumes of The Oberlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College: Concert and Recital Progams in the reference section? The booklets contain the complete programs of all the concerts and recitals presented by the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. The programs include performances in the annual Artist Recital Series, recitals and concerts by faculty and guest artists, concerts by student ensembles and large organizations, recitals required for the Bachelor of Music degree, productions of the Oberlin opera theater, and programs not included in other categories. Wondering if Valeria by Takemitsu has ever been performed in a recital at Oberlin? Check out the recital program booklets! [Ref MT4.O2 O247]

Institutional membership directories can be a valuable resource for contacting individuals or finding out about their interests. Some directories, such as Early Music America, list both individual and organizational members. While many directories are available online to members, we have a nice collection of membership directories at the Reference Desk in the Conservatory Library.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

A mobile phone salesman won the television show Britain’s Got Talent last night.Paul Potts, 36, an amateur opera singer from Port Talbot, Glamorgan, won the £100,000 prize and the opportunity to sing at the Royal Variety Performance after a public vote. More than two million people cast their votes.

The tenor, who hid his singing talent from work colleagues at Carphone Warehouse, wooed judges on the ITV show from the first note of his audition piece, Puccini’s NessunDorma. Read the full article here. See a video of Paul singing Puccini’s NessunDorma.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Have you wanted access to turn-of-the-century newspaper articles chronicling music in America?

Approximately 310,000 digitized newspaper pages, dating from 1900 to 1910, are now accessible through the Chronicling America Web site. The site is a project of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP), a partnership between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

NEH has just announced that eight awards to institutions, totaling $2,577,666, have been made to continue and expand the program. The program is also expanding the time period of newspapers that may be digitized to 1880-1910.

Check out the press release from The Library of Congress for more information.